“Tourism Can be a Force For Good” says Travel Foundation

“Tourism can be a real force for good, if it is sustainable – ie tourism that preserves the environment, protects wildlife, respects local cultures, and brings economic benefit to people in destination communities” Said David Weston of the Travel Foundation

“The UK has been unique in having an organisation like the Travel Foundation, a charity formed by the travel industry and NGOs with the encouragement of the Government, with the sole aim of making tourism from the UK more sustainable.”

“In 2007, the Foundation increased its income by 46%, broke through the £1m per annum mark, and can now boast nearly two million individual donors – ordinary holidaymakers making a small donation each as they book through a partner tour operator.

These travel industry partners now cover most of the holiday market as they include the two biggest groups – TUI and Thomas Cook – as well as many others including Virgin Holidays, Cosmos, Explore and Sunvil. The Foundation is currently recruiting an Industry Programmes Manager to help develop its links with its widening partner base.”

“The success of the Travel Foundation model has been noticed elsewhere and is inspiring similar organisations – the Travel Foundation Netherlands (TFNL) is already up and running, and others will follow.”

“What does “sustainable tourism” actually look like on the ground, in destinations? This is best illustrated by a few examples from a range of worldwide projects. In Tobago and The Gambia, the Travel Foundation has worked with local farmers and smallholders, and helped them sell their produce to tourist hotels. It sounds obvious – but in many destinations, hotels and resorts have been importing all their food supplies.

Where hotels use fresh local produce, everybody wins: the local farmers make a good living, the hotels offer fresher food, and tourists eat more authentic and healthy meals – and of course the environment gains by a reduction in air freight. What is needed is to bring the parties together, and work with the farmers on quality control and consistency of supply. That is where the Foundation can make a difference: there are now over 500 farmers, each earning up to three times more money.”

“In Sri Lanka, we have helped traditional female lace-makers market their wares more effectively to tourists, helping them make a living from their traditional skills. In Greece and Turkey, we have helped train hotel and resort staff to avoid damage to turtle nesting beaches. In Kenya, we have helped Maasai villagers retain up to 800% more income from tourism (without tourists paying more).

10,000 Hotels and apartments in Spain, Turkey and Greece have been educated on key sustainability actions, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions. In the Caribbean, we have installed warning buoys to reduce boat anchor damage to vulnerable coral reefs by 60%, and in Mexico we have helped Mayan communities market their hand-made “jungle jams” to hotels.”

“These are just a few examples from many. Our three priority areas are People, Environment and Education – and “People” are first. Making sure that tourism benefits host communities is at the heart of what the Travel Foundation is all about.”

The TravelFoundation.org.uk